Combination lock



March 26, 1929.

H. BECK COMBINATION LOCK Filed- Nov. .6, 1925 a a3 M2.

4 a m kw Patented Mar; 26, 1 929.

UNITED STATES nn'mmon BECK, or vrnnnn, AUSTRIA.

COMBINATION LOCK.

Application filed November 6, 1925, Serial No. ti7,235, am1 in Austria November 11, 1924.

This invention relates to improvements in combination locks.

Combination locks arev already known "in which holding members, arranged in zones, 5 are adapted to engage suitably disposed notches of a bolt or the like and thereby lock the same against removal, the said bolt being disengaged only by a certain adjustment of rings, provided with a number of characters. In such; devices the holding members enter into corresponding recesses arranged in these character-rings.

One object of the present invention is to in'iprove this type of combination locks and this is accomplished by utilizing unbolting members, (which preferably consist of char actor or numeral rings). which 'comprise'a number of parts so constructed. that each individual part, irrespective of the position ing members in the locking position until it has been brought lnto the unbolt ng position.

illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings in which-- 4 Fig. 1 shows in sectional elevation a combinationlock with the character-rings in the depressed position, and

Fig. '2 illustrates the lock shown in Fig. 1,

but with the character-rings in the regular position.

Fig.3 shows in sectional elevation a modified combination lock.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional plan views of the lock illustrated in Fig. 3, the sections be ing taken on lines a-b and 0-0! respectively ,OfFigB. v

Fig. 6 illustrates imsectional elevation a further modified construction of the combination lock. I

In the construction shown in Figs; 1 and 2, the reference character designates the casing of the combination lock and 2 indicates the member for supporting or carrying holding members. These holding members comprise balls 7 The supporting member 2 is provided with abore or hole 3 for the reception of a locking bolt 4. T he latter passes through a hole 5 of the casing 1 and is provided with a number of circumferential notches G (in the illustrated embodiment three notches being shown), which are suitably curved inward- 1y, so that they are adapted to be entered by the ball-shaped holding members 7. The latter are disposed in bores or holes8, of the of the other parts of, this zone holds the hold-.

Several embodimcntsof the invention are ing faces m of the two rings of each pair of rings are located in the horizontal central plane ofthe respective holding balls. Each of the'rings 9, 11 and 13 is furnished with a recess y, while each of the rings 10, 12 and 14 is provided with a corresponding recess. 2. When a correspondingpair of the locking rings are properly adjusted their two recesses are associated in the manner shown with respci-t to the pair of rings 910. The inner cu'rrcsl walls of said recesses are then continuous so that the respective balls 7 is adapted to enter the said recesses y-e and thus disengage the bolt 4 by freeing the notch 6 of the latter. It is obvious that, for securing this result the combined recesses g 2 must be sufiiciently deep to permit the ball 7 to enter them sufficiently. If one zone is provided with a number of holding balls 7, which are arranged in corresponding radially disposed holes 8 of the, supporting memher 2, the pair of rings associated with the respective zone must. be provided with a corresponding number of recesses 3 and 2. which are located so as to correspond to the holes 8 of the supporting member. It the two rings areflctii'rectly adjusted the two recesses y and 2 thereof are combined to form aspherical segmental shaped recess. Instead of holding bails holding members of any other convenient shape may be employed. Of course, if nonspherical holding members are used correspondingly shaped recessesmust be provided in the rings as well as in the bolt.

The lower part of the supporting member '2-is formed with an upwardly directed flange 15, which partly encloses the cylindrical cas- 'ing 1. A spring 17 is located in the annularspace 16 formed by the said flange 15, the: said spring having the tendency to continuously and upwardly force the entire set of rings 9 to 14 as well as the casing 1, so that in the normal position the bottom face of a rerecess 18, provided in the casing 1, abuts a stop 19 secured to the supporting member 2.

-By applying suitable force upon the surface f of the-casing 1, the latter together with the set of rings can be forced down in the direction of the arrow 12 until the device is in the position shown in Fig.1. In this position the top face of the recess 18 abuts the stop 19. A- number of characters (figures, numerals,

' letters and the like) are provided on the outy and z-of this pair of rings havebeen associated to form aspherical segment. Gonsidering the pair of rings 11 and 12, the ring 11 is also disposed in the open or unlocking position, while the ring 12 is in the locking position. As the contacting face :1: of this pair of rings is located in the horizontal central plane of the holding ball 7 of this zone,-a sufficiently large surface of this ball rests against the upper rin' 12, and in spite of the unlocking position 0 the ring 11 it cannot be determined by any inspection whether this last mentioned ring is in the unlocking position. The rings 13 and 14 are in the locking position. I

In order to prevent any shaking of the shown with respect to the pair of rings 9 and 10 in-Fig.1), the bolt4 or the holding ball 7 consists of a permanently magnetized ma- .terial, which is strongly -magnetized before the assembly of the look, so that the balls remain in the notches of the bolt 4, even if the pairof rings of the corresponding zone arein the unlocking or open position. Of course in this case the other'parts of the lock, particularly the rings 9 to -14, must be made of material which cannot be magnetized.

An essential feature of the combination lock according to the resent invention consists in that in the or inaryposition, i. e. if

the spring 17 is completely expanded and assumes the position, shown in-Fig. 2, the unlocking members or rings 914- are shifted such an extent, that an unbroken surface of the said members ispresented to the balls 7. Owing to the unstressed condition of the spring 17, all rings are freelyrotata'ble in this position,,but any attempt to determine the opening combination fails, because even when the rings are turned through an angle of 360 degrees, the unbroken inner surface or surfaces of-the ringsslide past the balls- .60 F manipulation the opening position of the lock However it is not possible to determine by in case the same isin the position shown in Fig. 1, i. e. when the rings are in the depressed position, as the rings are strongly pressed against each other and thus cannot holding balls in' the unlocked position (as be rotated. Even if the ringscan be then revolved, they cannot be independently revolved.

Moreover thebottom ring 9, in the, de-- pressed condition, is entirely covered by the flange 15 of the supportin member 2 which even)t s any attempt to adjust the lock (see ig. 1 I

Further it may be mentioned that the entire set of rings is located in the casing 1 in such a manner, that the rings turn together T with the casing. In order to attain this ob-' ject the bottom end of the casing 1 is turned inward as shown at 21 in Fig. 1. Y

If it is desired to alter the word or number by which the lock can be unlocked, it is necessary only to change the order of the rings.

sign 50 provided instead of the said slot..

The sleeve 1 can be fixedin the adjusted position by meansof a small locking spring 31, which consists of a folded strip of steel and Another means to increase the number of is disposed partly in a recess 30 in the bottom portion of the supportin 'member 2 and partly enters one of a num er of grooves 32, arranged in the inside of the sleeve 1.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, the entire set of rings 9 to 14 is'under the continuous action of springs 25, disposed in cylindrical holes of the casing-lid 1".

These springs are of such strength, that the unlocking members 9 to 14 can be rotated b exerting suflicient force, but it is impossible to determine the openin combination because of the great frictiona resistance to be overcome to revolve the said members.

A further means of increasing the opening I combinations consists in making the holding members or their supporting members adj ustable with respect) to the rotatable rings, provided with the characters.

According to the construction shown in Figs. 3, 4 and',5 this can be accom lished by providing the support'2 of the hol ing members 7 with a larger number of holes or passages 8 than holding members (Fig. 4), so that it is possible to place *thelatter in any of the holes 8 and thus vary and increase .the possibility of locking combinations.-

Instead of this arrangement or additional to the same, the entire su port 2-together :with all holding members can be rotated with respect to the rings 9 to 14 and to the casing 1- (Fig. 3) and can be fixed in this 1 1o I the adjusted position, the same is provided adjust ed position in that the locking spring vided or separated into annular members 2,

2 and 2, corresponding in number to the number of zones of hold ng members 7, each annular member being rotatable separately. In order to secure the annularmember. 2 in at the top surface with a recess 30 (similar to Fig. 5) for the reception of a-locking spring 31 the latter engaging one of anumber of grooves 32 arranged in the lid 1 of the casing.

By' similar locking spring arrangements 30 3 31", 32* and 30, 31, 32, the-members 2 and 2 can be secured with respect toeach other or the member 2* can be fixed with respect to the base 2 of, the arrangement.

The combination. lock can be employed for many objects, such forinstance as a pad-f $10k, a railway car. lock, a safe lock and the 1 re.

I claim 1. A combination lock comprising 1n combination a hollow supporting member having superposed holes in the wall thereof, a

. holding member movably located in each said hole, a bolt having recesses, said bolt being removably located 111 the supporting member, the said recesses belng spaced on the bolt to correspond to the spacing of the, said holding members in the holes of the supporting member locking control. members each composed o. a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said supporting member, one such locking member being associated with each holding member, each part of each said locking member having a recess to permit the entry of a holding member into the recesses of its associated locking member when the parts of the latter are properly adjusted.

2. A combination lock comprising in combination a hollow supporting member having superposed holes in the wall thereof, a holdingmember movably located in each said hole, a bolt havingrecesses, said bolt being removably located in the supporting member, the said recesses being spaced on the bolt to correspond to the spacing of the said holding members in the holes of the supporting member,

- locking controlmembers each composed of a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said supporting member, one such locking member beingassociated with each holding member, each part of each said locking memher having a recess to permit the entry of a holdingmember into the recesses of its associated locking member when the parts of the latter are correctly adjusted, and a spring adapted to continuously force the locking controlmem'bers into the locking position.

3. A combination lock comprising 1n combination a hollow supporting member having superposed holes in the wall thereof, a holding member movably located in each said hole, a bolt having recesses, said bolt being removably located in the supporting member, the

said recesses being spaced on the bolt to correspond to the spacing of the said holding members in the holes of the supporting member, locking control members each composed control members and provided with an inspection window, and means for adjusting the casing with respect to the holding members. for the purpose specified.

4. A combination lock comprising in combination a hollow supporting member having superposed holes in the wall thereof, a holding member movably located in each said hole, a bolt having recesses, said bolt being rcmovably located in the supporting member, the said recesses being spaced on the bolt to correspond to the spacing of the said holding members in the holes of the supporting member, lockin control members each composed of a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said supporting member, one such locking control member being associated with each said holding member, each part of each. said locking control member having a recess to permit the entry of a holding member into.

removably located in the supporting member,

the said recesses being spaced on the bolt to correspond to the. spacing of the said hold-.

.ing members in the holes of the supporting member, composite locklng control members each composed of a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said supporting member, one such locking control member being associated with each locking member, each partof each locking control member having a recess to permit the entryof a holdin membar into ,the recesses of itsassociated ibcking control member when. the parts of the latter I are correctly adjusted.

6. A combination lock comprising in com bination a hollow supporting member having superposed holes in the wall thereof, a hold-- -ing member movably located in each hole, a

bolt having recesses and removably located in the supporting-member, the said recesses being spaced on the bolt to correspond to the spacing of the said holding members in the holes of the supporting member, locking control' members each composed of a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said support- "mg member, one such lockmg control member being associated with each holding member, in each part of each locking control member having a recess to permit the entry of a holding member into the recesses of its associated locking control member when the partsof the latter are correctly adjusted, and means for adjusting the holding members with respect to the locking control members.

7 A combination lock comprising in com- I bination a hollow supporting member ha'v ing superposed holes in the wall thereof, a holding member movably located in'each hole, a bolt having recesses and removably located in the supporting member, the said recesses being spaced on the bolt to correspond to the spacing of the said holding members in the holes ofthe supporting member, locking control members each composed of a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said supporting -member, one such locking control member beingassociate'd with each holdingmember, each v part of each locking control member having a recess to permit the entry of a holding meniher into the recesses of its associated locking control member when the parts of the latter arecorrectly adjusted, and means for ad justing the supporting member and' with the holdln'g members with respect to the locking coutrol members.

8. A combination lock comprising in combination a hollow supporting member comprising a plurality of hollow superposed parts'whieh are turnable with respect to each other, each part of the said supporting mem' her, having a hole in the wall thereof, a holding member movably located in each said hole, a bolt having recesses and removably locatedin the supporting member, the said recesses beingsp'aced on the bolt to corres spond to the spaoin of the said holding members in the holes 0 the supporting member, locking control members each composed of a plurality of parts revolubly mounted on the said supporting member, one such locking control member being associated with each.

holding member, each part of each locking control member having a recess to permit the entry of each holdin member into the recesses of its associated her when the parts of the latter are correctly adjusted, each part of the supporting memher being adjustable with respect to its associated locking control member.

9; A combination lock comprising in combination a hollow supporting member having holes in the wall thereof arranged in supermit the penetration of the holding member of the associated row into the recesses of its associated locking control member when the parts of the latter are correctly adjusted.

10. In a lock, the sub-combination of a hollow casing, abolt adapted to be removably located within the said casin a holding member located within the said casing and adapted to engage the said bolt to prevent the removal thereof from the said casing and turnable locking control means having a rec'css into which the said holding member is locking control memadapted to enter at the will of the operator to release it from the said bolt, and resilient means adapted to normally hold the said holding member and said locking control means in a relative position in which the said holding member "is adjacent an unrecessed portion of the said locking control means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

HEINRICH BECK. 

